The Iowa College Student Aid Commission governs financial aid in Iowa and it administers the state’s grants, scholarships, work-study, and loan programs. Individuals who are seeking assistance from Iowa state grants and other financial aid are required to complete the required Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms and Iowa Financial Aid Application by the necessary deadlines. Available Iowa state grant programs include…

Iowa Grant

Grant program intended to assist undergraduate students planning to attend postsecondary institutions in Iowa. Students who demonstrate the largest financial need are granted priority. The maximum award amount is $1,000 every year for up to four years of full-time undergraduate enrollment. The award is adjusted for students enrolled less than full-time.

Iowa Tuition Grant

Awards granted to undergraduate students enrolled at an eligible private college or university. Students must be residents of Iowa and priority is granted to individuals with the largest financial need. The maximum award amount is $4,000 and the award amount for a specific academic year will depend on funding availability and the amount of recipients. Recipients are eligible to receive the award for up to four years of full-time undergraduate education. Additionally, students enrolled part-time may be granted adjusted awards.

All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship

A state-funded scholarship program for students who excel in high school and demonstrate a great financial need. Qualifications include resident of Iowa, enrollment in college-level classes within two years of completion of high school, minimum 2.5 GPA, and enrollment is a minimum of three semester hours in a degree program. Priority is given to students who graduated from alternative high schools.

Recipients are able to receive the award for one year and scholarships may be renewed for a second year if a recipient is attending a community college in Iowa. Recipients must re-apply, meet eligibility requirements during the second year of study, and meet the academic progress standards established by the college. The maximum award amount is $7,806.

Iowa Vocational Technical Tuition Grant

Grant program intended for students enrolled in vocational-technical or career programs at community colleges in Iowa. Students must be residents of Iowa, enrolled at a community college in Iowa, and enrolled in a minimum of three credit hours in a qualified educational program for a period of at least 12 weeks. The maximum award amount is $1,200 per year for up to two years of full-time higher education. Students enrolled on a part-time basis may be eligible for adjusted award amounts.

Iowa National Guard Educational Assistance Grants

Grant program for students who are members of the Iowa National Guard and attend eligible colleges and universities in Iowa. Eligibility requirements include a resident of Iowa, member of the Iowa Air or Army National Guard division, satisfactory completion of the necessary guard training, acceptable performance of guard duties, and enrollment and satisfactory academic progress in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at an eligible Iowa postsecondary institution. The award amount cannot exceed the average resident tuition rate at regent universities in Iowa and the typical maximum award amount is $5,775.

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Robert D. Blue Scholarship

Scholarship program named after a former governor of Iowa. Awards are granted to students in Iowa who demonstrate outstanding academic and literary skills and demonstrates a moral character. Applicants for this award program can be current seniors in high school or individuals already enrolled at a Iowa institution for higher learning. Applicants must be Iowa residents and attend or plan to attend a college or university in Iowa. The evaluation criteria include financial need, high school GPA, reference letters, and written essay. The award amounts range from $500 to $1,000.

All Iowa Opportunity Foster Care Grant

Program established to assist students from the Iowa foster care system, state training schools, or adoption after turning 16 years old. The qualifications include a resident of Iowa, under the age of 18 and currently living in a licensed Iowa foster care, living with a relative or suitable individual under court order, or between the ages of 18 and 23 and was in one the living situations described above. Grant amounts vary between $2,210 and $7,670 per year.

Education & Training Voucher Grant

Program for students between 16 and 23 years of age who came out of Iowa’s foster care system or Subsidized Guardianship program or students who were adopted after 16 years of age. Eligibility includes a student is under 18 years of age and currently in a licensed foster care and will remain until within 30 days of 18th birthday; under 18 and currently required by Juvenile Court to live with a relative or suitable individual and will remain until within 30 days of 18th birthday; currently between the age of 18 and 21 and was previously in a living situation described until 18 years of age; and student will be under the age of 21 on the day of starting higher education. The maximum award is $5,000 per year.

Governor Terry E. Branstad Iowa State Fair Scholarship

Scholarship program that recognizes excellent seniors of Iowa high schools who have actively taken part in the Iowa State Fair. Students must be a graduating senior from an Iowa high school, plan to enroll at a college or university in Iowa, and previously or current been active participants in the Iowa State Fair. Awards are granted for only the first year of college. The program grants up to four scholarships a year that range from $500 to $1,000.

Iowa Barber & Cosmetology Arts and Sciences Tuition Grant

Grant awarded to individuals enrolled at an eligible barber or cosmetology school in Iowa. Priority is awarded to students with the most financial need. The maximum award amount is $1,200 per year.

For more information on Iowa state grants and other financial aid, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (www.iowacollegeaid.gov) provides a wealth of valuable information. Students must take note that any state funding is required for use toward education-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, room and board, and transportation.